France
Coverage explores food, drink, and hospitality developments across key French markets, including Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux, with a focus on culinary trends, casual dining formats, sustainability initiatives, and the movement of brands between France and the UK. Reporting offers insight for operators tracking international influence, chef-led innovation, and sourcing practices, as well as UK businesses exploring franchising or cross-border growth opportunities.
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Apr- 2021 -26 AprilFeatures
Refugee to rising restaurant star
“I arrived in England on the back of a lorry,” says Sohail Ahmad as he reflects on his journey to the UK. His delivery may come across as blunt, but this is the best way the upcoming restaurateur and boxer can describe an experience that many adults would be unable…
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Dec- 2020 -4 DecemberNews
Cocotte Rotisserie opens fourth London restaurant
Cocotte Rotisserie, a farm-to-table restaurant chain, has opened its fourth site in Queens Park, north-west London. The establishment, which opened for takeaway and dine-in on 2 December, joined Cocotte’s existing portfolio in Notting Hill, Shoreditch, and Parsons Green. The 40-cover restaurant has been designed with “chich, welcoming interiors”, alongside the…
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Sep- 2020 -24 SeptemberCafes and Coffee Shops
Upper Crust owner predicts 86% decrease in sales
Owners of pastry chain Upper Crust, have predicted an 86% decrease in sales for the year to end in September. A trading report released by the company revealed that weekly sales are currently running at 76% below last year results. The SSP owned group touted slow return to UK commuter…
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Jul- 2020 -29 JulyRestaurants
McDonald’s sales plunge 30% despite US resilience
McDonald’s has revealed that sales plunged by 30% to $3.76bn (£2.89bn) during the second quarter of the year. As a result, the global restaurant chain said that the fall in sales led to net income also falling by 68% to $483.3m (£372m). Despite the fall, McDonald’s said global comparable sales…
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Jun- 2020 -29 JuneComment
The coronavirus diaries: Graham Hornigold and Heather Kaniuk
Much of our work is centred across Europe, the UAE and beyond. Prior to Covid-19, our summer was booked with upcoming projects in Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and the UAE. We felt the impact before the UK went into lock-down, but we were uncertain what this meant for our business…
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15 JunePubs and Bars
BBPA urges government to confirm date for pub reopenings
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has urged the government to confirm a definitive date when all pubs can re-open as well as publish the final safety guidelines the sector needs to be ready for reopening. The government’s roadmap indicated pubs would be able to re-open from 4 July.…
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11 JuneFood and Drink
Reduction of two metre social distancing rule essential for pubs’ survival, says BBPA
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has urged the government to review the two metre guideline for social distancing ahead of the publication of sector guidance. According to research by the BBPA, the current position will mean that only a third (12,500) of England’s pubs will be able to…
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Apr- 2020 -27 AprilBusiness Bites
Lockdown to persist says Johnson, clergy weigh in on behaviour of corona-corporations
The PM is back at his desk and says the lockdown must continue for the foreseeable future, and it would be premature to consider lifting now. After having been struck down with COVID-19 himself – and ending up in intensive care – the premier has finally convalesced and spoke from…
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24 AprilBusiness Bites
Retail landlords reined in, France gets touch on tax havens, and insurers face biggest ever payouts
The government has banned landlords from using winding-up orders against their retail tenants, after aggressive rent collection tactics which threaten the future of retail businesses came to light. Tens of thousands of businesses in both retail and hospitality have found themselves unable to keep up with their rent during the…
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Feb- 2020 -25 FebruaryBusiness Bites
Chlorinated chicken ain’t the way
The European Union will insist that the UK retains the current ban on chlorinated chicken as part of any free trade agreement that might be struck by the end of this year. It taps into one of the most symbolic arguments made during the last three years by those who…
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